Monthly Retail Trade Sales and Inventories May 1997

The typical image of caregiving and the elderly is one of an older person who is ill or infirm receiving care from a younger person. In many instances this image is correct. However, older women and men are not only the recipients of care; in many cases they are caregivers themselves. Another assumption about caregiving is that the person giving the care is a woman. Again, this is generally true but many men also provide care. In this profile we will examine gender differences in both aspects of caregiving and the elderly—as recipients and as givers of care.